Design Review Board

DESIGN REVIEW COMMISSION MINUTES (FINAL) WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL ROOM PRESENT: Steven Rowland, Chairman; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman; Robert West; Karen Cavotta; Robert DeMarco; Georgeanna Lussier ABSENT: Richard Martin STAFF: Bradley Birge, Administrator, Planning & Economic Development CALL TO ORDER: Steven Rowland, Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:09 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ANNOUNCEMENT OF RECORDING OF PROCEEDING: Steven Rowland, Chairman stated the proceedings of this meeting are being recorded for the benefit of the secretary. Because the minutes are not a verbatim record of the proceedings, the minutes are not a word-for-word transcript of the recording. A. APPLICATIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION: 1. # 2013.132 10-12 LAKE AVENUE BUILDING SIGNAGE, 10-12 Lake Avenue , Historic Review of directory sign in the Transect-6 District. Agent: Wayne Wheeler, AJ Signs Mr. Wheeler stated this is for a building directory sign, and replacing the street numbers. The tenant signs are easily changeable when the need arises. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there were any questions or comments from the Board. None heard. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Karen Cavotta made a motion in the matter of the 10-12 Lake Avenue Building Signage, 10-12 Lake Avenue, that the application be approved as submitted, future changes in sign copy may be reviewed/approved via administrative action by the Chair. Georgeanna Lussier seconded the motion. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Robert DeMarco, in favor; Georgeanna Lussier MOTION PASSES: 6-0 2. #2013.136 CENTER FOR THE FAMILY FREESTANDING SIGN, 359 Ballston Avenue, Architectural Review of freestanding sign replacement in the Transect-4 District. Agent: Wayne Wheeler, AJ Signs Mr. Wheeler stated this is a replacement sign. The new sign is taller and bigger approximately 12 feet. Existing lighting will remain. Discussion ensued regarding placement of wording on signage. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there were any questions or comments from the Board. None heard. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Georgeanna Lussier made a motion in the matter of the Center for the Family Freestanding Sign, 359 Ballston Avenue, that the application be approved with the following conditions: move the Harriet M. West Center logo to the top of the signage and shape the top of the sign appropriately; the Saratoga Center for the family text to be increased in size and placed on two lines; final review authorized by administrative action by the Chair. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman seconded the motion. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Robert DeMarco, in favor; Georgeanna Lussier, in favor MOTION PASSES: 6-0 3. #2013.119 ALLERDICE PORCH, 31 Union Avenue, Historic Review of porch materials in the Urban Residential-4 District. Applicant: Wally Allerdice This application was before the Board last month. There were several issues the Board questioned and Mr. Allerdice provided a mock up example for the Board to review on caravan. It was the consensus of the Board that the sample looked very good. In addition, the balusters spacing was changed for ease in cleaning and painting. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there were any questions or comments from the Board. None heard. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman made a motion in the matter of the Allerdice Porch, 31 Union Avenue, that the application be approved per the most recent submission, i.e., 2" spacing between balusters. Robert DeMarco seconded the motion. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Robert West in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Robert DeMarco, in favor; Georgeanna Lussier, in favor MOTION PASSES 6-0 4. 2013.126 HIGGINS RESIDENCE, 100 Union Avenue, Historic Review of roof, and dormer in the Urban Residential-4 District. Agent: Michael Perry, Architect Applicant: Richard Higgins, owner City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, November 20, 2013 – page 2 of 6 Mr. Perry stated there are three parts to this project; a proposal to roof the patio; a dormer being bumped out to match an existing dormer to add a second bathroom; portions of the roof need to be replaced with the same color grey as currently exists. Steven Rowland, Chairman stated the materials are appropriate for the property since it is a contributing property on the National Historic Register. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was any questions or comments from the Board. None heard. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Karen Cavotta made a motion in the matter of the Higgins Residence, 100 Union Avenue, that the application be approved as submitted. Georgeanna Lussier seconded the motion. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Robert West in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Robert DeMarco, in favor; Georgeanna Lussier, in favor MOTION PASSES 6-0 5. #2013.135 PUBLIC SAFETY RENOVATIONS, 474 Broadway, Historic Review of renovations to the Public Safety offices of City Hall in the Transect-6 District. RECUSAL: Steven Rowland, Chairman recused himself from this application. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman assumed the duties of the chair. Agent: Heather Hasselbacher, Butler, Rowland and Mays Architects Ms. Hasselbacher provided the Board with a brief overview of the project with a visual presentation. Windows will be removed and walled off. Bricks to be kept flush when in filled. Some areas which are in filled will be removed and windows will be installed. New windows will be replaced in kind. Also the interior plan of the area was provided to the Board. Interior doors, transome windows etc, in the current Public Safety Offices, will be salvaged for any future use or need. Discussion ensued regarding windows placement and infill. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman asked if there were any questions or comments from the Board. None heard. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. Bob Flansburg, Dreamscapes Unlimited provided a suggestion regarding removing the brown mirrored panel and replace it with a glass transom, maintaining the original openings. Robert West made a motion in the matter of the Public Safety Renovations, 474 Broadway, that the application be approved with the following conditions: the window trim color to match the second floor windows; windows to be replaced using trim to case opening with a flat panel above and dimensional trim on all four sides; provide an add/alternate for a "mock" transom detail in either brick or spandrel glass of fiber cement panel to be submitted for administrative approval. Karen Cavotta seconded the motion. City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, November 20, 2013 – page 3 of 6 Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, recused; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Robert DeMarco, in favor; Georgeanna Lussier, in favor MOTION PASSES: 5-0 Steven Rowland, Chairman resumed his position on the Board. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman resumed her position on the Board. 6. 2013.133 WALBRIDGE BUILDING PORCH/FAÇADE, 53 Beekman Street, Architectural Review of porch façade modifications within the Neighborhood Complementary Use -1 District. Applicant: Bill Walbridge Mr. Walbridge stated he is reconstructing the existing two story porch. Ceilings to be mahogany, and floors will be "TREX" composite. Columns have been replaced with appropriate diameter and trim work. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there were any further questions or comments from the Board. None heard. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Robert DeMarco made a motion in the matter of the Walbridge Building Porch/Façade, 53 Beekman Street, that the application be approved as submitted on the attached plans. Georgeanna Lussier seconded the motion. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Robert DeMarco, in favor; Georgeanna Lussier, in favor MOTION PASSES: 6-0 7. #2010.133 WASHINGTON COMMONS FINAL EXTERIOR DETAILS, 235-237 Washington Street, Architectural Review of final selection of exterior colors & materials for a multi-use building within the Transect-4 District. Applicant: Steve Ethier Agent: Bob Flansburg, Dreamscapes Unlimited Mr. Flansburg provided the Board with final material selections for the project. Color samples were provided for the Board's review. The roof shingle color was changed to a 30 year architectural shingle color black charcoal. Same color roofing on both buildings. Windows are a Pella product with simulated divided light. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there were any further questions or comments from the Board. None heard. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. Tonya Yasenchak, Engineering American stated she represented a client who she believes used very similar colors. Since this project is close in proximity perhaps staff can check colors since this is a substantial project. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman made a motion in the matter of the Washington Commons Final Exterior Details 235-237 Washington Street that the application be approved for materials with the following conditions: vinyl soffit materials to be provided for administrative review; cut sheets for the store front doors to be provided for the record. Robert West seconded the motion. City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, November 20, 2013 – page 4 of 6 Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Robert DeMarco, in favor; Georgeanna Lussier, in favor MOTION PASSES: 6-0 8. #2013.127 VERIZON CELL TOWER-SARATOGA CASINO AND RACEWAY, 35B Nelson Avenue, Architectural Review of cell tower in the Institutional Horse Track Related District. Agent: Scott Olsen; Attorney; Dave Wisereader, Costitch Engineering Mr. Olsen, described the project to the Board. Visual presentation was provided to the Board. He explanation the appearance of the tower and "canister". Photographs were also provided for the Boards review. Mr. Wisereader also explained the engineering function of the tower and canisters. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there were any further questions or comments from the Board. None heard. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Steven Rowland, Chairman made a motion in the matter of the Verizon Cell Tower – Saratoga Casino and Raceway that the application be approved as submitted. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman seconded the motion. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Robert DeMarco, in favor; Georgeanna Lussier, in favor MOTION PASSES: 6-0 9. #2013.134 FRIENDLY FUEL STOPS EXTERIOR COOLER, 54 Church Street, Architectural Review of a 12'x 25' exterior cooler in the Transect-6 District. Agent: Tonya Yasenchak, Engineering America Ms. Yasenchak stated the applicant is proposing a walk in cooler at the back of the convenient store. Materials will match what currently exists on the building. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there were any further questions or comments from the Board. None heard. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment on this application. None heard. Robert West made a motion in the matter of the Friendly Fuel; Stops Exterior Cooler, 54 Church Street, that the application be approved with the following conditions: provide a 6" relief at the buildings connection to the existing building, utilize a Fiber Cement track panel system like the Criterion Cinema Building as opposed to EFIS. Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman seconded the motion. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, in favor; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Robert DeMarco, in favor; Georgeanna Lussier, in favor MOTION PASSES: 6-0 City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, November 20, 2013 – page 5 of 6 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman made a motion to accept the minutes of the August 7, 2013 Design Review Commission meeting with corrections/additions as submitted. Robert West seconded the motion. Steven Rowland, Chairman asked if there was any further discussion. None heard. VOTE: Steven Rowland, Chairman, abstained; Tamie Ehinger, Vice Chairman, in favor; Robert West, in favor; Karen Cavotta, in favor; Robert DeMarco, abstained; Georgeanna Lussier, in favor MOTION PASSES: 4-0-2 NEXT MEETING: The next scheduled Caravan will be held on Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at 5:00 P.M. The next scheduled Design Review Commission meeting is Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at 7:00 P.M. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Steven Rowland, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 9:25 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Diane M. Buzanowski Recording Secretary Approved: 1/15/14 City of Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Minutes – Wednesday, November 20, 2013 – page 6 of 6